Have Documents to Nail PM Modi; His Corruption Talk Plain Political Gimmickry: Congress

In response to the PM’s call to fight corruption jointly, the Congress spokespersons and MPs, Dr Abhishek Singhvi and Prof. MV Rajeev Gowda released three documentary papers to expose his “double standard” on the corruption issue.

ABDUL BARI MASOUD | Caravan Daily

NEW DELHI — Releasing two documents and a white paper on corruption, scams and criminality, the Congress on Thursday tried to nail Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘hypocrisy’ in the fight against corruption. The party said, “Modi sarkar’s promise to fight corruption is plain political gimmickry”. It asked the PM to “stop sermons and take action against ministers, MPs and BJP state governments allegedly involved in corruption cases”.

In response to the PM’s call to fight corruption jointly, the Congress spokespersons and MPs, Dr Abhishek Singhvi and Prof. MV Rajeev Gowda released three documentary papers to expose his “double standard” on the corruption issue.

On the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of the Quit India Movement, the Congress leaders recalled that PM Modi came to power on the promise of ‘na khaaonga, na khaane doonga’ and said that his track record has been the exact opposite.

The White Paper on ‘The Systematic Crippling of Anti-Corruption Laws’ stated that the PM did not appoint the Lok Pal. It further said that the Whistle Blowers Protection Act has been weakened by introducing the requirement that information released must first be obtained using RTI and also the Prevention of Corruption Act has been weakened by making it easy to prosecute a coerced bribe giver but extremely difficult to prosecute a bribe taker.

“The Right to Information Act has also been eroded. The introduction of electoral bonds is part of an elaborate scheme to smother accountability and transparency,” the White Paper stated.

The Congress also highlighted that by employing methods of coercion, intimidation, misuse of state agencies and money power, the BJP has stolen the mandate of the people of Goa, Manipur and Bihar. “The BJP’s corrupt practices to lure MLAs were foiled in Gujarat. They have got a resounding reply with the victory of Ahmed Patel,” said the Congress leaders.

“Prime Minister Modi’s deafening silence and lack of action on the numerous scams involving the BJP at states and the Center are there for all to see. These include the Vyapam scam, one of the goriest scams in the world, which has claimed over 50 lives in Madhya Pradesh,” they added.

Presenting a list of “tainted ministers” in Central and state governments, the white paper said the CAG has tabled a series of reports indicting many ministries of impropriety. According to it, in Maharashtra, 17 ministers of the BJP-led coalition are under the scanner for corruption and malfeasance. The Sahara-Birla diaries, GSPC scam, Lalit Modi-gate, Vijay Mallya-gate, PDS scam, waiving of NPAs of corporates are all “shining” examples of BJP’s governance record (Annexure -2).

The Congress reminded that PM Modi in his maiden speech in Parliament committed that he would fast-track criminal cases against MPs and promised to dispose of cases within a year. However, three years have passed but the cases against sitting MPs and MLAs remain unresolved. 31 per cent of the BJP ministers have criminal cases against them. 18 per cent face serious criminal charges such as attempt to murder, murder, rape, kidnapping and crime against women, four of whom were in the Cabinet.

The Congress described demonetisation as “the biggest scam” unleashed on the people of India. It said the country till date does not know the quantum of old currency returned. “The government has made a mockery of the RBI. They cannot even print notes correctly anymore. Demonetisation is an addition to the jumlas and false promises of Modi sarkar, which includes depositing Rs 15 lakh in every account, making names of Swiss bank account holders public and penalising those named in the Panama papers,” they added.

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